Special teams not so special

The Thunder rang out 2012 by getting overpowered on special teams by the Utah Grizzlies.

The Record

The Thunder rang out 2012 by getting overpowered on special teams by the Utah Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies celebrated on New Year's Eve by routing the Thunder 5-1 at the Maverik Center in West Valley City, Utah, on Monday night. Stockton was 0 for 6 on the power play and allowed three shorthanded goals.

"We played a good game other than that. We made three bad plays to allow breakaways," Thunder coach Matt Thomas said. "Every time you do that, you're destined to lose the game, so no need to overanalyze it."

The Thunder allowed three goals in the second period to break a scoreless tie. Right wing Toni Rajala scored a shorthanded goal for Stockton to cut the deficit to 3-1 early in the third, but Wahl and Vock struck quickly to ice the game for the Grizzlies, who got 34 saves from goalie Andrew Engelage.

It was the Thunder's first loss in three games against the Grizzlies this season, after winning 9-6 in Utah on Nov. 12 and 6-2 at Stockton Arena four nights later.

The Thunder will practice today in West Valley City and face the Grizzlies at 6:05 p.m. Wednesday. It returns home for games Friday against Alaska and Saturday against Colorado.